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Solar Filter for DSLR Camera Lens.

In this Instuctable I will show you how I used a pair of solar eclipse glasses to create a solar shield for my DLSR 35mm Canon Rebel 5i.

For this project you will need:

Eclipse glasses

UV filter to fit your camera lens

Double sided tape

Card stock/heavy scrapbook paper

Aluminum foil Scissors

Circut (or Silloutte) cutting machine

Step 1: Get You Film... What Every Way You Can

Start with a pair of ISO approved eclipse glasses. I had gotten this set in my Curiosity Box. I am so glad they sent them as the eye pieces are quiet a bit larger than the ones we purchased for ourselves. Here's the fun part - tear them apart :). Be careful, but peel the paper away from the film. You don't have to get all the paper, actually it's better if you don't get it all. You will use this later to make sure you've covered all the gaps.

Step 2: See What You're Working With

Now that you have your film line it up with your UV filter. Unless you have a very small UV lens cap or had really big eclipse glasses they are not going to match up and there will be room around the film that will need to be covered so that you don't injure yourself or your camera.

Measure the width of your film and the inside diameter of the UV filter. You will see I have two measurements for the filter. If you look closely it will have a lip between the outer rim and where the glass is. Your sabot (which is really what you're making for your film) needs to be between these two measurements. I think it's better to be on the larger side than the smaller side. Any light that gets through and to your sensor could mean one very damaged camera, at the least.

Step 3: Now We're Going to Move Over to the Computer

Pull up your cutting machine's software. I have a Circut Air so I will be showing you how to use that one. If you have a different software you'll have to figure out how to do the following steps.

Software Step 1: Insert a circle

Software Step 2: Change the size of the circle to be just slightly smaller than the larger diameter. (I used Google to do the conversion for me)

Software Step 3: Add a 2nd circle and change it's color (this is just to make the following steps easier).

Software Step 4: Change the size of the 2nd circle to a couple millimeters smaller than the smallest measurement of your film.

Software Step 5: Select both circles and use the embedded tools to match the centers both horizontally and vertically.

Step 4: More Software Steps

Software Step 6: With both still selected use the "Splice" tool to cut smaller circle out of the larger on.

Software Step 7: Now that you have your ring you can delete the smaller colored circle and the larger full circle.

Software Step 8: Right click on the remaining ring and select Duplicate.

Software Sept 9: Cut your rings out. Two copies of heavy card stock and one of aluminum foil If you don't want to use your cricut for cutting out the aluminum foil I understand it completely toasted my blade.

Step 5: Do a Dry Fitting

Put one of your rings into your UV filter and see if it's a good fit. If it's not go back to your cutting software and try another go at it. You REALLY want to make sure this is big enough that no light will sneak in. Remember you also don't want it too big or too small - to big will cause a wrinkle in it and maybe make a big enough crease to let light in... too small and you have a very obvious problem.

Step 6: Start Assemby

Use your double sided tape to start sandwiching each of the rings. Start with making a ring on the backside of one of your pieces of card stock with double sided tape. Be careful that you don't get any tape on the inside of the ring or it might show in your pictures.

Once you have that down carefully lay your foil on top of the tape. Don't be concerned if it doesn't cover completely. I had mine warp a little when I was removing it from cutting mat.

Next put more tape on top of the foil.

Step 7: Time to See If It's Worth It

Lay your film on your sabot. This is where you'll see I said it's a good thing leave a little paper around the edges of the film. If you can't see any paper then you have good coverage. You want to make sure it's all covered by either film or foil.

Step 8: Finishing It Up

Now that you have everything protected it's time to finish it up.

Add a little more double sided tape to the film where ti will be in contact with the ring, but not where you will be inside of the ring.

Now before we go to far double check that there's no change that any part is not protected.

If you're happy with it then use scissors to trim around the edges.

Step 9: All Done!

Now it's time to sandwich your new solar filter between the UV filter that's already on your camera and the extra one you have for this project. They're made to fit inside of each other.

Now take your camera out and try it out. Shot a picture of the sun, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE before you go out tape over your viewfinder. You don't want to make the mistake of putting your eye up to it. Even with the filter it's NOT A GOOD IDEA as your lens magnifies what light does make it through the filter and brings it right to the eye.